"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26-27
Jesus never hid from us the cost of being His follower. In fact with statements like these it was quite the opposite. We are to take seriously our commitment to Him and decide what we are willing to give. Jesus expects our total selves. It is not today I will follow Him and tomorrow I will do what I want. It is not keeping possessions that Jesus would not have in His house. Sometimes it is not necessarily acts of obedience like this but it is allowing Jesus to have the control and loving Him before all else.
I have often read stories about revolutionists. Their whole lives are surrendered to their cause. Even in danger they sacrifice to further their cause. In the Daily Bread this morning there was a quote by Nechayev. He was a 19th century disciple of Karl Marx and had a role in the assassination of Czar Alexander. He said, "The revolutionary man...has no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachments, no property, and no name. Everything in him is wholly absorbed in the single thought and the single passion for revolution." This really put it in perspective for me! The revolution I live is in Christ. All my thoughts and passions are for Him. (At least I am working towards that! ) I have no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachements, no property, and no name. I release these things to God and they are all for Him and about Him.
It is a sacrifice worth making. The fullness of living for God and loving Him above all is rewarding! Jesus also speaks of the reward. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10. I only have this fullness when I become a revolutionist for Him!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Closing challenge
I finished Acts today. Paul was a man who let God completely take over his life and heart! In the most desperate situations he never quit being a witness for God. He did not become self focused or pitied himself in the hardships he went through. When he was under house arrest in Rome he welcomed all who would come to him and he would teach them about Jesus. He closed the Book of Acts with this challenge:
"Go to this people and say,
You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them." (Acts 28:26,27)
(He was quoting from Isaiah 6:9,10)
May I open my ears, eyes, and heart to Jesus. May hear and see what He really wants to be to me. May I do this sincerely with out just trying to get something in return. May my motives be pure and my love real for Jesus. May I have understanding to Jesus' truth.
"Go to this people and say,
You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them." (Acts 28:26,27)
(He was quoting from Isaiah 6:9,10)
May I open my ears, eyes, and heart to Jesus. May hear and see what He really wants to be to me. May I do this sincerely with out just trying to get something in return. May my motives be pure and my love real for Jesus. May I have understanding to Jesus' truth.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Must Read!
I have been reading an action thriller lately. It is great and a must read book for everyone. Let me tell you a little about it. I have not finished the book yet but am so taken with it that I thought I would share about it already.
The book starts out with a powerful once in a life time event. It is witnessed by only a few people but it is through these people that a new movement begins. After seeing this event they were so moved spiritually that it completely changed their lives. The book follows some of these men and their happenings.
It begins in a time when the Holy Spirit was so powerful that it would shake buildings where believers were meeting! There were many healings and casting out of demons. Even the shadow of one man would heal people!
It is a story of risk takers. They would boldly talk about what they believed in public places. This took place in a time when this could result in death and even did for one man. The men who killed him gnashed their teeth and covered their ears while yelling. That was an intense chapter! These men thought it was more important to obey God rather than men. They stood up for the truth! These were good "risk takers" and can be an example to us.
There are also some other "risk takers" in the book. They lied to the Holy Spirit and died on the spot! That should be an example to us not to manipulate God!
It tells the stories of some men who were the "hardened" type. It tells how they came to see the truth through understanding, bright lights, and a Voice. These chapters were so good as they showed what victory Jesus is! These stories got me excited!
Like I said this book is intense, packed with high action chapter after chapter. It really is a thriller and a book I recommend to young and old, male or female. I haven't finished reading it yet so I won't ruin the ending for you!
If you haven't guessed - it is the Book of Acts found in the Bible!
The book starts out with a powerful once in a life time event. It is witnessed by only a few people but it is through these people that a new movement begins. After seeing this event they were so moved spiritually that it completely changed their lives. The book follows some of these men and their happenings.
It begins in a time when the Holy Spirit was so powerful that it would shake buildings where believers were meeting! There were many healings and casting out of demons. Even the shadow of one man would heal people!
It is a story of risk takers. They would boldly talk about what they believed in public places. This took place in a time when this could result in death and even did for one man. The men who killed him gnashed their teeth and covered their ears while yelling. That was an intense chapter! These men thought it was more important to obey God rather than men. They stood up for the truth! These were good "risk takers" and can be an example to us.
There are also some other "risk takers" in the book. They lied to the Holy Spirit and died on the spot! That should be an example to us not to manipulate God!
It tells the stories of some men who were the "hardened" type. It tells how they came to see the truth through understanding, bright lights, and a Voice. These chapters were so good as they showed what victory Jesus is! These stories got me excited!
Like I said this book is intense, packed with high action chapter after chapter. It really is a thriller and a book I recommend to young and old, male or female. I haven't finished reading it yet so I won't ruin the ending for you!
If you haven't guessed - it is the Book of Acts found in the Bible!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sacrifice for God
This mornings Daily Bread really hit me. It was the story of Abraham going to sacrifice his only son Isaac. (The story is found in Genesis 22.) I have known this story for so long but I had one of those moments when it strikes me in a new way. To me it is a powerful story. Abraham waited so long for his son and must have loved him so much. I think he would have done anything to protect him and even would have died for him if that is what it would take to protect him. Then God asks him to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed. What a love and obedience he had for God! He had his priorities straight and put God first in his life. I can only imagine how Abraham must have been weeping when he bound his son and took the knife. When God told him to stop he must have fallen to the ground with relief and held his son to assure Isaac of his love.
A powerful story to me to put God first. What have I waited for and have that I hang onto too tightly? Do I put God first in my life? Or are my plans, tasks, even hobbies first? What does God call me to sacrifice? This last question is a soul reflecting question to me today. It requires honest prayer. Do I want to know the answer? To be closer to God I need to.
A powerful story to me to put God first. What have I waited for and have that I hang onto too tightly? Do I put God first in my life? Or are my plans, tasks, even hobbies first? What does God call me to sacrifice? This last question is a soul reflecting question to me today. It requires honest prayer. Do I want to know the answer? To be closer to God I need to.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New Year's
Every year I take time to reflect on the year and look ahead to the new one. I have been busy and wasn't sure what to think so I haven't officially done that yet. At least I haven't broken any resolutions yet!
I have heard three great "New Year's" sermons this year. The details are getting a little foggy but I do want to remember what they said. One good point was that we need to reflect on the hard things that happened. We can grieve them and let them go. Leave them in that year and start new. I like this. Some things like a loss of a loved one is not that "easy". But, some disappointments, bad habits, and so on need to be dealt with in this way. I think even some of the good things that happened need to be left in the past as good memories so we can move forward in the present.
Another point I liked was evaluating where we are serving. This seems really applicable to me because it seems every year I get involved in a new or different ministry. So, I do need to keep evaluating and searching God's heart where He wants to use me. I want to be effective in His service but I don't want to spread myself too thin that it costs my family or personal health. (I am going to need my accountability partners on this one!) In a different sermon but on the same topic the point was made that we are not serving the people first but God. Huge conviction! I need to keep God's love for the people I serve foremost in my ministry. It makes it so much easier when I go forth with that attitude in my heart! In serving God there is also no room for pride then. He is the one working through us and He deserves all the credit. Good reminder for the times that I struggle with pride.
The other point from another sermon is - what risk does God want us to take this year? The sermon was a super sermon but I don't remember all the details. However, I do remember what God wanted me to take home. Just over a year ago Bob and I uprooted our family. We sold the house, changed jobs, and moved in a matter of 2 months. All this when I loved my house and where we lived. We were content with Bob's job and were not looking to change anything. We had a total life style change and began work in full time ministry. That was a risk! We love what we do but it was a risk. So, I am done taking risks now for God right? I obeyed in that and am still living at camp so what more would He want me to do? We are supposed to keep taking those risks and steps for God. The funny thing is He still drops those risks onto my lap in such obvious ways that I have to obey. I need to be open and seeking what new ways God wants to lead me. Sometimes that does not mean ministry but maybe praying for an hour a day, or giving more financially. We need to always keep praying to see what the risks God wants to do so we can remain active in our faith and walk with Him.
For me that is enough food for thought. I wasn't sure how to work it all out in the New Year. But, already as I am living it God is showing me how He wants me to live out what I learned in those sermons. It has been a fulfilling first month in 2009 already!
I have heard three great "New Year's" sermons this year. The details are getting a little foggy but I do want to remember what they said. One good point was that we need to reflect on the hard things that happened. We can grieve them and let them go. Leave them in that year and start new. I like this. Some things like a loss of a loved one is not that "easy". But, some disappointments, bad habits, and so on need to be dealt with in this way. I think even some of the good things that happened need to be left in the past as good memories so we can move forward in the present.
Another point I liked was evaluating where we are serving. This seems really applicable to me because it seems every year I get involved in a new or different ministry. So, I do need to keep evaluating and searching God's heart where He wants to use me. I want to be effective in His service but I don't want to spread myself too thin that it costs my family or personal health. (I am going to need my accountability partners on this one!) In a different sermon but on the same topic the point was made that we are not serving the people first but God. Huge conviction! I need to keep God's love for the people I serve foremost in my ministry. It makes it so much easier when I go forth with that attitude in my heart! In serving God there is also no room for pride then. He is the one working through us and He deserves all the credit. Good reminder for the times that I struggle with pride.
The other point from another sermon is - what risk does God want us to take this year? The sermon was a super sermon but I don't remember all the details. However, I do remember what God wanted me to take home. Just over a year ago Bob and I uprooted our family. We sold the house, changed jobs, and moved in a matter of 2 months. All this when I loved my house and where we lived. We were content with Bob's job and were not looking to change anything. We had a total life style change and began work in full time ministry. That was a risk! We love what we do but it was a risk. So, I am done taking risks now for God right? I obeyed in that and am still living at camp so what more would He want me to do? We are supposed to keep taking those risks and steps for God. The funny thing is He still drops those risks onto my lap in such obvious ways that I have to obey. I need to be open and seeking what new ways God wants to lead me. Sometimes that does not mean ministry but maybe praying for an hour a day, or giving more financially. We need to always keep praying to see what the risks God wants to do so we can remain active in our faith and walk with Him.
For me that is enough food for thought. I wasn't sure how to work it all out in the New Year. But, already as I am living it God is showing me how He wants me to live out what I learned in those sermons. It has been a fulfilling first month in 2009 already!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Health from God
Wow, it has been a very long time since I wrote on here! I even forgot what my blog looked like! I do have a reason though. As most know, I am expecting again! For a long time I could not read or spend long amounts of time on the computer. It all made me too nauseous. So, I did not have a lot of insights to share.
Things are going better now. I have to share that God has really blessed me with that! For awhile there I was feeling pretty bad and all I could manage was sitting on the couch all day and forcing food down to my hungry stomach. Pregnancy can be so weird! I prayed a lot that it would not last and that God would be the peace in my mind and body. How good He is to answer that prayer! Soon after I started feeling better! So, I wanted share that with everyone so I can give the credit to God! He is so good and loving to us! Even when I am not able to do much for Him, He is so faithful to me. Thanks God for my health!
Things are going better now. I have to share that God has really blessed me with that! For awhile there I was feeling pretty bad and all I could manage was sitting on the couch all day and forcing food down to my hungry stomach. Pregnancy can be so weird! I prayed a lot that it would not last and that God would be the peace in my mind and body. How good He is to answer that prayer! Soon after I started feeling better! So, I wanted share that with everyone so I can give the credit to God! He is so good and loving to us! Even when I am not able to do much for Him, He is so faithful to me. Thanks God for my health!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Jesus as the Center
Before I get into today's topic I will share this weeks memory verse:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Right now I am reading a book called "A Beautiful Way" by Dan Baumann. I try to read a chapter and then apply what I learn for awhile before I read the next chapter. The last chapter I read was on Intimacy with Jesus. It was a great chapter and gave me a new perspective on Jesus' involvement in my life. I have often heard or been taught that our priorities should be listed as following:
1. God
2. Family
3. Ministry
4. Friends
5. Personal interests
Sounds like a good order to put God first and then family and so on. However, this author gave me a new insight. We should not put our priorities in a list. The problem with that is that we put God first in our day and leave Him there. In the morning we get up and read our Bible and pray and go about our other daily activities. We often leave God in our devotion time then and do not include Him in the rest of our day. I so often am guilty of that. In the morning I may have a great time with God but at the end of the day I realize that I hardly prayed throughout the day and I feel disconnected with God. Instead of a list the author suggests that we think of Jesus as the center of our lives. His word picture is to think of Jesus as the sun with all the planets revolving around it. Jesus needs to be the center with all our activities, thoughts, plans, other priorities, etc revolving around Him. We need to be in tune to doing His plans for our day and not just our own plans. If we feel a peace about going to a movie with a friend great! If He leads us to make a meal for someone who needs it instead of cleaning the house, that is more important. Living with this perspective would take an element of spontaneity. But, since our life is not our own this is a good thing! So, I am guessing that I won't be reading the next chapter for awhile because I think it will take me awhile to learn to really live this way! I make my daily plans and am stubborn to stick to them. I need to let God plan my day now.
On another note, if you want a good read, read Psalm 145. It has been my daily reading this week. A real worship chapter that has helped to renew my joy!
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Right now I am reading a book called "A Beautiful Way" by Dan Baumann. I try to read a chapter and then apply what I learn for awhile before I read the next chapter. The last chapter I read was on Intimacy with Jesus. It was a great chapter and gave me a new perspective on Jesus' involvement in my life. I have often heard or been taught that our priorities should be listed as following:
1. God
2. Family
3. Ministry
4. Friends
5. Personal interests
Sounds like a good order to put God first and then family and so on. However, this author gave me a new insight. We should not put our priorities in a list. The problem with that is that we put God first in our day and leave Him there. In the morning we get up and read our Bible and pray and go about our other daily activities. We often leave God in our devotion time then and do not include Him in the rest of our day. I so often am guilty of that. In the morning I may have a great time with God but at the end of the day I realize that I hardly prayed throughout the day and I feel disconnected with God. Instead of a list the author suggests that we think of Jesus as the center of our lives. His word picture is to think of Jesus as the sun with all the planets revolving around it. Jesus needs to be the center with all our activities, thoughts, plans, other priorities, etc revolving around Him. We need to be in tune to doing His plans for our day and not just our own plans. If we feel a peace about going to a movie with a friend great! If He leads us to make a meal for someone who needs it instead of cleaning the house, that is more important. Living with this perspective would take an element of spontaneity. But, since our life is not our own this is a good thing! So, I am guessing that I won't be reading the next chapter for awhile because I think it will take me awhile to learn to really live this way! I make my daily plans and am stubborn to stick to them. I need to let God plan my day now.
On another note, if you want a good read, read Psalm 145. It has been my daily reading this week. A real worship chapter that has helped to renew my joy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
